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During the COVID-19 pandemic, many small businesses have pivoted and transformed into virtual companies, some temporarily, others permanently. How has that pivot impacted company performance? Zoho, a global technology company, just released a study of employees at large and small businesses in the United States and Canada showing that while companies "excelled in the areas of traditional management," the employees rated their employers' technology harshly, calling it "outdated" and "inefficient for company performance."
The study was conducted this spring, during the first surge of the coronavirus. The employees surveyed gave their employers high marks when it came to goal setting, alignment, and inspiring performance.
Even though their work lives were disrupted by office closures, workers felt their employers supported them through the shift to remote work.
Overall Job Satisfaction
Taking a deep dive into what employees at U.S. small businesses thought, the survey found in most cases, employees are happy with their jobs:
- 67.5 percent of those surveyed are "highly satisfied" with the work they do, and a similar percentage enjoy their jobs
- 66.7 percent say their jobs provide them with "meaningful work they can take pride in"
- 62.5 percent say they know what their managers expect of them
- However, 17.5 percent say they have "no visibility" on their employers' direction or the big picture
Struggling with Communication and Technology
However, when it comes to communications and technology, employees are less satisfied. In general, many employees (though still mostly a minority) say their current company's technology infrastructure and systems need an overhaul.
- A whopping 85 percent say it's not possible to get a 360-degree view of customers without having to look at multiple systems. This is a crucial stat since many businesses have experienced how fragile the customer/client relationship is during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 56 percent complain the computing systems they're using are not conducive to their work
- 35.8 percent say multichannel internal communications are not articulated clearly
- 34.2 percent say there's only sporadic internal communication
- 31.7 percent say the technology infrastructure at their company is not adequate to keep them aligned with company goals when working remotely
- 30 percent say the technology infrastructure at their company is not adequate to maintain company culture when working remotely
- 27.5 percent say work is "chaotic" due to a lack of integrated systems
- 22.5 percent say the apps they use are not intuitive and are difficult to integrate
- 19.2 percent say the technology infrastructure at their company does not support private multi-mode communication with their managers
- 12.5 say it is not easy to communicate with their peers
Ironically, you would think technology would make remote work easier. But, says Raju Vegesna, the chief evangelist at Zoho, "Going to the office, as a concept, started during the Industrial Revolution, when workers needed to travel to factories to use heavy equipment. With the cloud and online tools accessible from anywhere (including your home), we are back to a pre-Industrial Revolution era. This means that the right tools have to be made available for employees to be productive. Unfortunately, as the survey [reveals], this is not currently the case. This has to change for employees to be successful."
The study was conducted by Beagle Research Group. Denis Pombriant, the managing principal at Beagle says, "The inevitable conclusion from this data is that if companies want to improve their performances, they should look first at the technology systems that support their primary business activities."
If you're one of the many small businesses that pivoted to virtual operation, this study is a timely reminder to check in with your employees to see what's working for them and what's not. Are they experiencing communications issues? Is their technology an asset or is it actually hindering their performance? Remember, your experience as the boss is not necessarily the same one your employees are going through.
Not sure how to make the transformation into a virtual company (whether temporary or permanent) a smooth one? A SCORE mentor can help you pivot. Contact one today.
Copyright © 2024 SCORE Association, SCORE.org
Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.


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Loving the BITE: Kale Chips
Ever wonder if there's any truth to all the Detoxification claims made by hundreds of nutrition products these days? Well, whether a particular product works is anyone's guess, but there is s a lot of detox that goes on in your body each day. In fact, day in and day out, our cells have an uphill battle to stay healthy while they are constantly under attack. We subject them to toxins in our environment, from our air, from our foods, and even from our own physiological processes.
And, yes, our out-of-breath-on-last-cycling-interval-lactic-acid-workouts certainly contribute. What's a cyclist's cells to do?
A 2-Phase detox process, actually. And there's nothing like the right nutrients to help them detoxify and stay healthy! Enter kale.
Recipe of the week: Kale Chips
- 1 bunch kale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
- Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.
Kale chips are a great vegetable or snack recipe that can be used to replace chips or other salty snack foods. And, it's much more than a simple substitute, it's a SuperFood recipe (cue Superman theme song)! I'll admit, I'm a little late on the kale bandwagon, but better late than never. And, before you laugh at the thought of eating kale instead of chips -I'm picturing my husband's reaction right now- I'm not really suggesting that you'd always make this substitution or show up to next year's Super Bowl party with a giant bowl of kale chips. But, in an effort to get in more SuperFood vegetables that actually help your body instead of drag it down, let's give it a try!
Kale is quickly becoming regarded as a nutrition powerhouse. Why? For one, or even for four, it's loaded with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and cholesterol lowering nutrients. What else is new, though, right? …many vegetables rank high with these.
Well, kale's special. It actually supports our cells' complete detoxifying process. Our cells are bombarded with toxins each day. When they are overloaded and need to detox, they undergo a 2-step process: Phase 1 and Phase 2 detoxification (I'm thinking the same thing…these phase names are kind of a let-down). Kale is unique in that its glucosinolates, antioxidants that contain sulfur and nitrogen, make compounds that support both phases of detoxification.
Let's see Fritos do that!
While I think the body is a very capable, incredible machine that deals well with most everything we throw at it, it is certainly a great idea to give it an edge whenever we can. We live in a toxic world…so, load up on foods that help it your body fight its foes (cue Superman theme song again). Kale chips – can't eat just one!
Fuel Your Ride. Nourish Your Body.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Productivity Paradox
Think about all of the amazing technology innovation that has impacted businesses over the last three years. Since 2011, we have seen an explosion in cloud computing, in mobile, in technology-enabled business services and in globalization. All of us feel more productive as professionals and our businesses feel more productive instutionally. As a nation, the US must be cranking in productivity. Killing it -- particularly after rebounding from a recession, right?
Now look at the latest US productivity statistics (Q1 was just released last week):
- Q1 2013: 0.5% (annualized)
- 2012: 0.7%
- 2011: 0.6%
In other words, despite three years of amazing innovation and growth, we don't seem to be gaining in productivity. What's going on?
In 1986, observing a similar phenomenon on the heels of the PC revolution, MIT Economist Robert Solow quipped: "You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics."
Those of us that are immersed in the innovation economy may find this hard to believe, but we are not, as a whole, actually more productive when we are in the midst of an innovation cycle boom. New technologies take time to absorb, refine and make mainstream. Computer software can be reprogrammed quickly. Humans can't.
Forrester captured this phenomenon nicely in a chart they produced a number of years ago predicting "the next big thing" in computing:
We can't imagine a world without broadband wireless, iPhone 5s, iPads and the cloud. But we've got a lot of work to do to absorb these amazing technologies and make us all more productive as a whole.


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Here's a few links worth checking out while you're web surfing today:
Scott Eccleston over at Weekly Photo Tips featured me in a Q&A.
Tim Armes has a new plug-in that exports your photos and preserves the folder hierarchy during the export for the new images.
Cool product of the day alert. I haven't tried the Eye-Fi memory cardsout yet but I think I'm going to have to. Wireless transmitting of photos to your computer has got to be cool! 🙂
Sean McCormack over at the Lightroom Blog has released a couple of plug-ins that export photos to your Twitter.com account. One is called LR2TweetPhoto and the other is LR2Tweetpic.
Sherri Meyer did a top 10 Lightroom tweets of the week. Even if you hate twitter, there's some good links there to check out.


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By Eckart Woertz
Syria and Egypt paradigmatically highlight the perils of food insecurity in the Middle East. Oil exports of Egypt, the largest wheat importer of the world, ceased at the end of the 2000's. Generating enough foreign exchange for food procurement became more difficult and plans for more self-sufficiency have failed in the face of limited water and land resources. The country needs economic diversification and alternative sources of income, but Asian producers are more competitive in mass markets like textiles. Political upheaval has not helped. Tourism has collapsed; Electrolux and a number of other multinationals have temporarily suspended operations. Transfers by oil-rich Gulf countries have become crucial for an economy on life support.
The situation in Syria is worse. Before its civil war it remained a small net-exporter of crude oil, but its overall petroleum balance has turned negative since 2008. Like Iran, it has a lack of refining capacity and needs to import petroleum products like diesel and heating oil. With the war and EU sanctions the situation has aggravated. Economic liberalization in the 2000's dismantled agricultural support schemes and left farmers vulnerable to an epic drought that lasted from 2006-2011. Many migrated to the cities and put additional strain on the social fabric ahead of Syria's uprising. Without aid deliveries of the World Food Program the country would face famine today. By October a quarter of all Syrians will rely on food aid, four million inside Syria and 2 million refugees in neighboring countries.
The food import dependence and lack of foreign exchange is all the more worrying as the global food crisis of 2008 has shown a diminished reliability of global food markets. Not only did prices skyrocket, some agricultural exporters like Argentina, Russia, and Vietnam announced export restrictions out of concern for their own food security. Naturally this sent shock waves through the Middle East, which imports a third of globally traded cereals.
The oil rich Gulf countries reacted by announcing investments in farmland abroad to secure privileged bilateral access to food production. Only a fraction of these investments has gotten off the ground, yet they have been controversial as they have been mostly announced in developing countries like Sudan or Pakistan that have severe food security issues themselves. Ill-conceived land investments will not offer equitable solutions to food security concerns of Middle Eastern nations, but rather economic diversification and trade agreements.
Eckart Woertz is senior researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) and author of Oil for Food. The Global Food Crisis and the Middle East, available via Oxford Scholarship Online. He can be followed on Twitter @eckartwoertz.
Oil for Food: The Global Food Crisis and the Middle East is available in print and through Oxford Scholarship Online. If you are a librarian, and would like to find out how to subscribe to Oxford Scholarship Online, please visit our Subscriber Services page. Alternatively, if you are an academic or student, why not recommend this valuable resource to your librarian?
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Image Credit: Syrian Flag. Image is available via Wikimedia Commons.


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What actually ended the Permian Period some 251 million years ago? Most Earth scientists think gradual sea fall, climate change, oceanic anoxia, and volcanism were the causes. But that's not so. A group of geologists working in southern China found evidence that it was an asteroid or a comet that smacked our planet, exploded, and then caused the most severe biotic crisis in the history of life on Earth.
In the September issue of Geology, Kunio Kaiho from Tohoku University reports their findings of a remarkable sulfur and strontium isotope excursion at the end of the Permian, along with a coincident concentration of impact-metamorphosed grains and kaolinite and a significant decrease in manganese, phosphorus, calcium, and microfossils (foraminifera). Their discoveries at Meishan (Mei Mountain) suggest that an asteroid or a comet hit the ocean at the end of the Permian, triggered a rapid and massive release of sulfur from the mantle to the ocean-atmosphere system, swooped up a significant amount of oxygen, precipitated acid rain, and possibly set off large-scale volcanism.
"Understanding the cause of this event is important because it represents the largest mass extinction," Kaiho said, "and it led to the subsequent origination of recent biota on Earth."
Kaiho discovered the significance of the site when he took samples from it in 1996 and again in 1998. He plans to investigate other evidence of impact events.
"We would like to clarify paleoenvironmental changes and causes of the end Permian mass extinction in different places and of the other mass extinctions which occurred during the past 500 million years: end Ordovician, Late Devonian, and end Triassic," he said.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Geological Society Of America. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Cite This Page:


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Calling all Crafters! If you've recently completed a makeover project, we'd love to feature it in a future issue of CRAFT! A Makeover project is a one where you've redecorated an item, but still use it for it's initial purpose (as opposed to recyling it to create something else). Please email us your Makeover submissions by including a photo of your finished project (a before photo would be great too). Pictured above are the stylish vintage stamp covered shoes by Yasmin Bochi, our featured Makeover for Volume 02. Link. [ email ]
Join Make: Community Today


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SpaceX launches its third crew to the International Space Station
SpaceX launched four astronauts toward orbit Friday using a recycled rocket and capsule, the third crew flight in less than a year for Elon Musk's rapidly expanding company.
The astronauts from the U.S., Japan and France should reach the International Space Station early Saturday morning, following a 23-hour ride in the same Dragon capsule used by SpaceX's debut crew last May. They'll spend six months at the orbiting lab.
It was the first time SpaceX reused a capsule and rocket to launch astronauts for NASA, after years of proving the capability on station supply runs. The rocket was used last November on the company's second astronaut flight.
Embracing the trend, spacecraft commander Shane Kimbrough and his crew weeks ago wrote their initials in the rocket's soot, hoping to start a tradition.
Did you see the exhaust plume? Send us your photos using the form below:
For NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, it was a bit of deja vu. She launched in the same seat in the same capsule as her husband, Bob Behnken, did during SpaceX's first crew flight. This time it was Behnken and their 7-year-old son waving goodbye. McArthur blew kisses and offered virtual hugs.
Also flying SpaceX on Friday: Japan's Akihiko Hoshide and France's Thomas Pesquet, the first European to launch in a commercial crew capsule.
A masked Musk met briefly with the astronauts at NASA's Kennedy Space Center before they boarded white gull-winged Teslas from his electric car company. The astronauts' spouses and children huddled around the cars for one last "love you" before the caravan pulled away and headed to the pad in the predawn darkness.
Despite the early hour, spectators lined surrounding roads to watch the Falcon take flight an hour before sunrise. Liftoff was delayed a day to take advantage of better weather along the East Coast in case of a launch abort and emergency splashdown.
NASA limited the number of launch guests because of COVID-19, but SpaceX's next private passengers made the cut. Tech billionaire Jared Isaacman, who's bought a three-day flight, watched the Falcon soar with the three people who will accompany him. Their capsule is still at the space station and due back on Earth with four astronauts next Wednesday. It will be refurbished in time for a September liftoff.
For Friday's automated flight, SpaceX replaced some valves and thermal shielding, and installed new parachutes on the capsule, named Endeavour after NASA's retired space shuttle. Otherwise, the spacecraft is the same vehicle that flew before.
"We're thrilled to have a crew on Endeavour once again," SpaceX Launch Control radioed minutes before liftoff.
The first-stage booster aimed for a touchdown on an ocean platform nine minutes after liftoff.
Rapid reusability is critical to Musk's effort to open space to everyone, land NASA's next moonwalkers and, his loftiest goal by far, build a city on Mars.
Musk will go a long way toward achieving that first objective with the private flight in September. It will be followed in October by SpaceX's fourth crew launch for NASA.
SpaceX picked up the station slack for NASA after the space agency's shuttles retired in 2011, starting with supply runs the following year. The big draw was last year's return of astronaut launches to Florida. "It's awesome to have this regular cadence again," said Kennedy's director Robert Cabana, a former shuttle commander.
Boeing, NASA's other contracted crew transporter, isn't expected to start launching NASA astronauts until early next year. First, it needs to repeat a test flight of an empty Starliner capsule, possibly in late summer, to make up for its software-plagued debut in December 2019.
Last week, SpaceX beat out two other companies, including Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, to land astronauts on the moon for NASA in three or more years. They'll descend to the lunar surface in Starship, the shiny, bullet-shaped rocketship that Musk is testing in the skies over Texas, with fiery, explosive results.
"It's a great time to be here, and we're very excited," the European Space Agency's Frank De Winne, an astronaut turned manager, said shortly before liftoff. The space station eventually will come to an end, he noted, but the partnership will continue amid hopes of "European astronauts one day walking on the surface of the moon."


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Episode-150- Are all Survivalists Right Wing Politically Speaking
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (21.7MB)
A recent forum thread stated that part of the reason survivalists concepts do not attract more people is because we all come from such a right wing stand point. Clearly as a Libertarian I take exception to this, the reality is most survivalists have a strong believe in following the Constitution.
Those that acutually respect The Constitution are often painted as "Right Wing" by the media but are they? Is it exclusively a republican ideal to support The Constitution? Of course not, do not Democrats invoke The Constitution when it suits them?
My view is Survivalists are often seen as "right wing" simply due to the communities overriding belief in the "right to keep and bare arms" applying to "the people". Yet many of us have what are called "liberal beliefs" by many as well in regard to things like alternative energy, restrictive social pollicies and even the unconstitutional practice of certain aspects of drug prohibition.
What are the real reasons the survivalist community doesn't grow as fast as it should, tune in today to hear my take on that.
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man's opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.
You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.


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Australian Sam Groth can boast the fastest serve in tennis after sending down a missile clocked at 263km/h during a tournament at Busan in South Korea.
Ranked No.340 in the world, 24-year-old Groth - the former husband of fellow Australian player Jarmila Gajdosova - hasn't had too much to cheer about in his career, slogging away in second-tier Challenger events.
But governing body the ATP ensured him a moment of fame on Saturday when it announced he'd clocked the fastest serve recorded at a professional tournament, far exceeding the previous best by giant Croat Ivo Karlovic, who fired down a 251km/h serve during a Davis Cup match in March last year.
It came in a straight sets second round loss against Uladzimir Ignatik of Belarus in which he was also credited with serves timed at 253.5km/h and 255.7km/h.
Eurosport reports the record has risen by small amounts in recent years with improved racquet technology but the jump of 12km/h by the 193cm tall Groth is unprecedented.
The ATP explained that they did not officially recognise service speed records because of the variance in radar guns but they confirmed that the event was using approved equipment, and that other data gathered appeared within a normal range.
They took several days to corroborate the data from Busan before announcing it.
Groth himself did not seem too impressed, noting on Twitter "Lost 4&3. Average! Did hit a 263kmh serve though in for an ace."


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Redefining the category of affordable and high-quality power amplifiers, Crown is showcasing the next generation line of XLS Series amplifiers, The line – consisting of four models and offering an unprecedented level of performance and configuration flexibility ushers in a new era of power amplification at the entry level.
The XLS series amplifiers implement a flexible PureBand™ Crossover System. A user can select crossover points from 50 Hz to 3 kHz, allowing for precise matching of specified crossover points on most bi-amplified loud speakers. Increased Control is also highlighted by the three selectable channel modes and clip limiters designed to protect loudspeakers that can be turned on and off by channel.
PeakX™ limiters allow higher output levels than conventional analog limiting while providing assured driver protection, and deploy algorithms derived from the extensive research and development of the OmniDrive HD loudspeaker processing in Crown's flagship I-Tech HD Series.
In another major advance, the XLS series amplifiers feature Integrated DriveCore™ Technology Regardless of AC Line sag or distortion due to other equipment such as backline or lighting gear, the user will consistently have the highest level of performance as though there is a power conditioner built directly into the amplifier. It also provides fast recovery on peaks, accurate reproduction of low-level detail, and precise tracking of low-frequencies at high power levels for maximum subwoofer output.
Further simplifying ease of use, an intuitive front panel work surface with LCD display provides fast and easy menu-based system setup and full amplifier diagnostics.
"We designed the XLS series amplifier from the ground-up to be a category-defining amplifier. We are bringing features and technology to a price point that no one else is close to offering. We set out to provide users with an amplifier that would reset the standard for power, performance, flexibility and value. Quite simply, this amplifier is a game changer," stated Andy Flint, marketing manager for Crown.
The XLS Series amplifiers are housed in a premium industrial design chassis, featuring a cast front panel for durability. They also feature integrated rack handles and weigh under 11lbs making the XLS Series the ultimate portable amplifier.
XLS Series amplifiers conform to Harman Professional's Green Edge™ environmental initiative. Crown's advanced circuit components use fewer resources in manufacturing, but have also contributed to significant weight reduction in the amplifiers that result in less energy consumption. The XLS amplifier's high operating efficiency translates into greater efficiency for each watt of output and a significantly reduced carbon footprint.


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Nokia, the once-mighty phone maker that eventually retreated to a business based around networking equipment and targeted verticals like health and imaging, is rethinking its business strategy once again. Today, the company announced that it would cease building its pricey OZO virtual reality cameras after finding that the VR market was developing "slower than expected". It will instead shift its focus more to health products and patent licensing. Nokia Technologies is laying off up to 310 people as part of the move. Nokia Networks is unaffected.
The reductions will happen mainly in the U.S., U.K. and Finland, the company said, and account for about 35 percent of the 1,090 employees in Nokia Technologies, as the unit overseeing VR efforts (along with Health and licensing of patents) is called.
"Nokia Technologies is at a point where, with the right focus and investments, we can meaningfully grow our footprint in the digital health market, and we must seize that opportunity," said Gregory Lee, president of Nokia Technologies in a statement. "While necessary, the changes will also affect our employees, and as a responsible company we are committed to providing the needed support to those affected."
Nokia's OZO VR cameras made their debut around 2015 at a time when Nokia looked like it had all but given up on hardware, after seeing its mobile phone business — once the biggest in the world — get decimated by the rise of Android and the iPhone and eventually sold off to Microsoft (which continued to wind it down after also failing to resuscitate it).
The company said that it will continue to support those who have already purchased devices.
Tapping into the growing interest in VR, the company doubled down on its imaging prowess — it was known to have some of the best camera technology in its smartphones, with the patents to underpin it — and went hell for leather into VR cameras.
Partly because of the tech involved, and partly because of the relative immaturity of the market, these cost a fortune, upwards of $60,000 when they finally started to ship, meaning that there was never going to be a mass market for the products, unless VR really took off.
In the end, it hasn't — or at least not like Nokia thought that it would. With competitors making lower-priced equipment, one interesting turn has been how VR tech has made its way into more ordinary products, rather than developing on a specialist-equipment trajectory. (In the VR headset space, for example, that has meant headsets that let you use your own smartphone as the display screen.)
Nokia kick-started its digital health business about a year and a half ago with the €170 million ($200 million in today's currency) purchase of French smart health gadget maker Withings, which had made a name for itself in activity trackers, smart scales, blood pressure monitors and other health and fitness devices. Nokia rebranded the services as Nokia earlier this year.
Patent licensing has been one of Nokia's mainstays throughout a lot of its other ups and downs. Part of this is related to the company's technology legacy, and part of this is still in progress of being built by way of Nokia Bell Labs.


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December, 1992
html and layout © Erowid
About the Authors
We have been outdoor growers since 1980 and have had relatively small yearly harvests every year since l983. We have grown Indica and Sativa strains and also hybrids (mixing the two together). Our horticulture has taken place largely in fields in New York and New Jersey. The goal of this paper is to allow others to produce their own, and to reduce the amount of marijuana traded on the street. As more individuals become divorced from having to sell and purchase fine erb, then we as consumers will become self- sufficient and will also be able to minimize the risk of being caught. Unfortunately, the ignorant powers that be continue to persecute marijuana smokers for political reasons. We should take responsibility for our habits and grow for our own consumption thereby eliminating the "buy and sell game". Although the marijuana trade is not known for attracting ruthless people, it none the less is a "black market" activity that many wish to avoid.Some people may read this paper with the hope that they can grow acres of reefer that will bring them riches. Unfortunately the gold rush as it pertains to weed has come and gone. The police confiscate patches of pot annually through the use of aerial infrared photography, and large plots are spotted much more frequently than small plots. This guide is not designed to be the erb growers bible, but to provide easy steps on how to cultivate small amounts of marijuana for personal consumption. There are people who know more about growing weed than we do, but the marijuana growing literature still lacks a brief explanation of how to produce outdoor kind bud in easy steps. Our hope is that this paper can serve that purpose.
We want to thank the many people who helped us acquire skill in this realm (our assumption is that they want to remain anonymous). Any error or omission is our doing and we take full responsibility.
All rights of this publication are not reserved. Anyone may duplicate this document in full or part. Please distribute liberally!
Table of Contents
Acquiring Good Seeds Quality seed strains are often difficult to obtain. This is especially true for people who hang in a predominantly straight crowd and know few people who partake in the fine erb. The rule of thumb is if the weed gets you pretty high then the seed is usually good to grow. Seeds coming from green bud are often better to grow because the strain is frequently acclimated to the growing season of northern latitudes. Jamaican and Colombian varieties can not be easily produced in northern latitudes because the strains produce bud too late in the season. The results of growing these varieties in most of the U.S. will be little or no bud growth before the first frost hits. Sativa strains usually grow taller than the indica or indica-sativa hybrids. This can be a major drawback especially in the fall when other plants are dying off and trees are losing leaves. Some growers have success crossing sativa varieties from southern climates with Indica, and creating an offspring that will bud more timely.
When at parties, concerts, or other social events, keep an eye out for people breaking up bud and discarding seeds. The best time to look for seeds is from October to January because this is when most of the locally grown outdoor erb hits the market. Acquiring and maintaining a quality seed stock is the most fundamental task of a successful grower.
Finding a Site Aside from acquiring good seed, picking a prime location to grow is probably the most important task a grower is faced with. One of the best locations is in areas of grasslands that have small trees and bushes interspersed. Often a farmers field that has been out of production for ten years is ideal. Flood plains along rivers and streams are another good location, but the risk of losing seeds in the Spring or the harvest in the Fall due to flooding should be considered. Growers have also been known to plant in buckets in more rocky or mountainous terrain. This enables them to grow in areas that receive good sunlight but have rocky, untillable soil. Digging a site in areas of dense but short plant growth, like sticker bushes, is another suitable spot. The sticker bushes grow high enough to prevent people from seeing through them and also serve as a direct deterrence from people and large animals wandering into the site.
A grower can often use animal and insect life to his advantage. Bees, tics, green flies and the like can discourage people from wandering through fields so areas having an abundant insect population are prime locations. The most important criteria for an excellent growing site are good soil, available water, sunlight, and suitable cover. Other factors are secondary.
Good soil is sometimes hard to find but without it you won't get much of a harvest. So, if you find a site that is perfect for all other factors but has poor soil , you may want to consider bringing soil to the site. Soil is often the richest in areas where grassland vegetation has existed for a series of years. Grasslands recycle nutrients in the soil and form a thick layer of organic matter. Grassland biospheres require very little preparation to start growing, while other soil conditions require more work. Sandy soils often need potting soil or top soil along with a small amount of lime to make them more fertile. Soils with high amounts of clay need material, like peat moss, added to break up the clay and make the soil more porous. I'm a naturalist and disagree with some erb growing professionals who believe that planting along road sides can be productive. The lead and other toxic chemicals found in some of these soils is enough to discourage many vegetable growers from producing consumable or smokable plant material. If you live in a city, and lack your own means of transportation then use roadsides as your last resort.
A close water source is also very important. A site close to the water table would be ideal since bringing water into the site can get tiresome an d also dangerous. It can get very tiresome if you have many sites or even a few big sites. If you choose a site much higher than the water table or grow in buckets, you will quickly find that the amount of water needed during a dry summer will be enormous and will give you great incentive to find a site closer to the water table. The dangers in having to bring water to the sites are numerous. The greatest of these would be the chance of someone spotting you, possibly a cop. The second greatest would be the destruction of the foliage you have to walk through to get from the water source to the site. If you have to make more than one trip you run a big risk that a trail will become noticeable. Finding a stable water source in the summer can be another obstacle since small streams often dry up at this time. How often you will need to water is determined by the weather and that could require you to make unexpected trips to the sites. Each trip puts you at risk. Your goal is to minimize these trips.
Sunlight is less important than the previous two components but is still essential. Plants should be in areas that receive at least five hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sunlight is preferable since plants tend to respond better to it than to the afternoon sunlight. Growers who scout sites during the winter months must be able to visualize how the landscape will be shaded by trees, and the path the sun will take come Spring. Of course, the greater the amount of sunlight the better, but when choosing a site sunlight is just one of many factors that must be considered.
The last criteria has nothing to do with plant biology, but rather focuses on minimizing the threat of unwanted attention from people wandering by. The cover should be both tall enough to keep people from spotting it and thick enough to discourage them from wandering too close to it. The best foliage to accomplish this is a large patch of big sticker bushes. If that's not available, look for foliage that grows to a height of six to eight feet by the fall and is far enough away from where someone might stray.
The Ability to hide plants amongst the flora in fields is an art and skill improved upon through practice. One favorite technique is to hide plants on the south side of bushes so that passers by will have difficulty spotting the plant(s). Plants still get adequate light in spite of the appearance of being crowded by the larger bush. The best hiding spot for erb is where people have their view blocked from all sides and has the appearance of being impenetrable. In areas where the vegetation growth is less than three feet the erb may need to be trimmed back or tied to the ground in order to create smaller bushier plants. Fields with small vegetation growth may have poor soil or can be dry upland environments where the soil frequently becomes too dry so use caution. Making erb junior blend in with the other plants in the field will minimize risk. In order to grow plants efficiently, an outdoor grower must use the natural landscape to his or her advantage.
Making a Trail One of the ways to ensure success is by creating trails that are not visible to passers by. This is easier in some places than in others. Areas having dense undergrowth with lots of sunlight can be ideal because plant growth is so rapid it will erase any damage to the vegetation between trips during the Spring and Summer. If you are growing plants in areas easy to spot trails then make the path weave back and forth so it becomes difficult for people to see a trail. Making a hidden trail to the site(s) is important because it allows the grower to minimize getting ripped off or worse, caught. People wander through undeveloped areas and follow trails to nowhere all the time. Their access can be limited through thoughtful planning of pathways and proper care in using them. When you walk through your entrance, do everything possible not to damage any of the foliage, especially toward the late Summer and early Fall. At this time of the year, damaged foliage usually will not regrow and this is when the plants need as much cover as possible. There are two things to keep in mind when making a trail to your site(s): 1) Can you see the trail you just made, if not that's great, if so look for ways to cover areas that look like a trail; 2) The more difficult it is for you to get to the site, the less likely someone else will try.
The Mechanics of Growing Your cousin Louie and his friend Sam are in town from Oklahoma and they have smoked a lot of grass and grown some in their backyards. Sam has a good rap, and appears knowledgeable about fine erb. Taking these two gentlemen for a walk in the fields might appear to be a good idea. Shit, they could offer some insightful pointers. I must caution against these excursions. Even if these men are the erb experts they appear, taking a walk with them may not be in your best interest. They are unfamiliar with the area and may not know where to run if the need arises. Walking with more than two people through a field can attract attention (the greater the number of people, the greater chance of being seen). The more people walking on a trail the larger the trail becomes and thus the greater the chance your trail can be followed by others. Every time you visit the site(s) you are putting the harvest and for that matter yourself at risk. This may be a small or large risk depending on the particular place but remember that no place is 100% safe. Unless it is an emergency situation where the buggy fly has infested your crop, and you are bringing in a specialist to offer expert advice, the site(s) should not be visited by strangers. Having a growing partner is recommended regardless of his or her competence, and even then the site(s) should only be visited to accomplish specific tasks. Trips to the site should occur at the following times.
A. Preparing The Soil: (early March - Mid April depending on climate)
I suggest buying 40 lb. bags of organic potting soil and mixing this in with the existing soil. This soil is not often found at your local all-purpose store so some searching may be required. Potting soil is richer soil than commercial top soil so it goes a little bit farther when mixed with the existing soil. Lime may be necessary in areas with acidic soil and peat moss is a good additive for soils with a clay type consistency. I avoid chemical fertilizers, not just because I believe that organic farming is the best way, but also because toxic waste is produced from the manufacture of fertilizers.It's also a good idea to put up a two foot high fence at this time. This will keep small animals out and the use of dried blood and/or human hair will fend off deer. Purchase a wire fence with small gaps, 2 inches or less between the metal strands. Collect enough sticks in the area to provide stakes that will support the fence about every 2 feet. Outline the site with the sticks and tie the fence to the sticks with string or wire. Cut the fence endstrand and bend the strands that protrude from the top of the fence out and down the outside to discourage animals from trying to jump over it. Camouflage the fence and site with normal ground debris as necessary before leaving.
B. Planting: (early April - early May)
There are different ways to go about planting:1) The seed intensive method:
This method should only be used if you have an abundance of seeds. The seed intensive method entails planting many seeds in a small area. Its strength is that it can limit risk. When you journey to your newly prepared site(s), the seeds and trowels are hidden in your pockets. Plant the seeds about one half inch deep, unless the soil contains high amounts of clay then only plant seeds one quarter inch in the soil. If you setup small sites 3ft x 3ft square, put in three rows with a seed every one and a half inches. If you work out the Math this is roughly 72 seeds per site. Unfortunately, many growers, especially beginners, do not posses this many good seeds. If a grower creates four sites with this many seeds he or she is almost guaranteed a harvest. Yes, there will be some crowding and this is one of the drawbacks of using many seeds in a small area. Also, figure around 50% of the plants are going to be male so you must return to the site to cut out the males toward the end of Summer. Once the males are removed from the site, the females get more light and aren't as crowded. The seed intensive strategy tends to produce smaller plants because of crowding, but at the same time it helps ensure a harvest every season. In the present day of infrared photography, I believe it is important to have small sites to avoid detection from the air. This of course means growers may have to create a series of small plots in order to garner a year's supply of erb. If you grow merely for hobby, sport, or experimental purposes, than one site may suit you fine.
2) Planting small seedlings:
The strongest argument for this method of planting is that you get the opportunity to select for planting the strongest of the seedlings you've started. The strongest argument against this method is the risk of transporting the seedlings to their intended site(s). Transporting them requires you to find a method of concealing them, usually a box. The problem that then arises is that the size box needed to transport many plants may make this method too risky or totally impractical. The other concern with this method is that there is also the risk of shocking the seedlings when you put them outside in the site where they will be exposed to the harsh Spring weather. Before planting seedlings or sexed females they should be put outside and closely monitored at least three days before planting to become acclimated to the wind and change in temperature.
This method works best when you can set up a small shelter near your sites that is enclosed but not insulated. This shelter can be as small as the site and 18 inches tall or big enough to walk in, providing you have a safe location for such a structure. Starting seeds in this shelter gives the benefit of acclimating seedlings to a temperature much closer to that which they will face when they are planted in the site and it will also protect them from any late Spring snows and/or frosts.
3) Planting sexed females:
The advantage of planting sexed females is obvious; every plant will produce buds. The sex of plants can be determined by growing them until they're four inches high, and then decreasing the amount of light they receive to eight hours. The males are then identified and removed in one to two weeks. This method requires being able to control the amount of light the plants receive each day, and also requires that plants be started indoors earlier than you would normally start (late February - early March). This method allows growers to spread their plants across a wide area in smaller sites and also to hide plants amongst small trees and shrubs. By spreading two dozen female plants throughout a ten acre area in individual sites, a harvest is almost guaranteed, providing that you remember where all the sites are. Growers are encouraged to create a map of their sites to insure against memory loss. Just remember to guard that map closely. Putting anything about your operations in writing puts you at risk.
C. Weeding:
Three weeks after the plants or seeds are in the ground return to remove weeds that are crowding out the kind erb. Three weeks after the first weeding a second weeding should take place. A third weeding is optional, by this time the plants should be large enough to compete with the weeds, however, if you are in a site that has strong weeds around it you may have to cut the weeds back at additional times throughout the year. Remember, weeding does not mean destroying all vegetation within three feet of a plant. Weeds can help hide your crop and protect your crop from hungry animals. Nearby vegetation can also help keep water in the soil from evaporating in the hot sun. So don't go overboard and be very careful, it's very easy to accidently injure small plants or their roots trying to get rid of weeds.D. Removing Males:
(If you are growing sexed females these trips can be omitted) Male plants will begin to produce their flowers and pollen as early as mid July for varieties acclimated to this climate. Varieties from more southern climates, may not start until mid September. This difference depends on the budding cycle of your variety, some plants start to bud earlier than others, so the exact time to cut the males will vary with the strain. If you are using a variety of different seeds it may be necessary to visit once a week from July 21 through September 15. The timely identification of a male plant is crucial to the success of the harvest. If the weather is exceptional during the time a male starts producing its flowers and you missed seeing the first signs during your last visit, you could wind up with a lot of seeds and little of the fine erb. A female can either generate a large seedless bud, a large bud with a few seeds, or a large bud that is almost totally seeds. The first case is achieved by removing all the male plants before any of their flowers open. The second case occurs when a few male flowers have opened but you remove them before any more open. The third case occurs when you miss-time the flowering of the male. This can be devastating if you have big female plants because you could loose 90% of the smokable erb to seed production. This last scenario may not always be bad though. If you are short on seeds for the next growing season, it may be prudent to let one or two males stand and fertilize a portion of the females. Good seeds are hard to come by, so if you have a strain you like, make sure to plan ahead and have at least a few hundred seeds for the future. The spotting of males is one of the most difficult of things to explain to a person that's never grown since it really takes careful attention to how the tops of male plants look at this stage of development. Even experienced growers will be unsure at times and will have to wait till the next visit to be sure. When a male enters the stage of flower development, the tips of the branches where a bud would develop will start to grow what looks like a little bud but it will have no white hairs coming out of it.E. The Fungus:
Along with cops, thieves, animals, and insects, "the fungus" is another obstacle in the path of a successful growing season. When the buds are roughly half developed they become susceptible to a fungus or bud rot. It appears that growing conditions for the fungus are best when temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees and the humidity is high. The fungus is very destructive and spreads quickly. It is a spore type of fungus that travels to other buds via the wind so it is impossible to prevent or stop if weather conditions permit it to grow. If things should go badly and the fungus starts to attack your plants, you must remove it immediately or it will spread to other areas of the plant or plants. Some growers will remove just the section of the bud that is infected whereas other growers will remove the entire branch. Removal of the entire branch better insures that the fungus is totally removed, and also enables the grower to sample the crop a few weeks ahead of time. The main point in removing the fungus is to be very careful. Since it is a spore type of fungus, the accidental jerking of an infected bud will release some of the spores and they could fall onto a lower bud so by the next visit, you might have to pull that bud too. Also be careful in touching the fungus with your fingers because your fingers could pick up the spores and then when you touch the next bud, the spores could cling to it and start eating away at that bud.F. Emergency Visits:
The Real Estate and Construction Industries have conspired to develop housing near your crop and their "progress" must be monitored. A hurricane or tropical storm with winds over 50 miles per hour has visited your area. A drought takes place. etc. One of the drawbacks of growing outdoors is that you can not control for interference by outside forces. Emergency visits may be necessary but don't go crazy every time there's a bad storm. These plants are strong and can take some punishment.The Harvest
Performed at night if possible. A nighttime run will limit the chances of someone seeing you. Do the most risky parts, such as carrying freshly cut erb where you could easily be spotted by a passing car, when the police jurisdiction changes shift. This can help ensure that officials do not spot you, and if a nosey nearby resident or passerby calls the police, it may take time before a car is dispatched to investigate. If harvesting at night, use flashlights sparingly so as not to attract attention, and bring extra batteries just in case(the rechargeable kind are recommended). When harvesting more than a couple of plants remember a small pocket knife because it makes the night move quicker. Unless you are planning to use the large fan leaves for cooking, remove them in the field so they don't take up a lot of space. If you have more than one variety of erb that you are harvesting bring various bags to put the different strains of buds in, and I would suggest using backpacks for travel to avoid suspicion and for easy handling.When to Harvest
The time to harvest depends on several factors: bud development, weather, fungus, and thieves. Some pot strains mature earlier in the fall than others, depending on the latitude of the globe where the strain originated. You will need to pull Indica varieties in late September and Columbian varieties in late October. The weather may also force you to pull early. If there is a severe freeze heading your way, you are better off not chancing that the weathermen are wrong and pull at least a majority of what you have. Another case for pulling early is if weather conditions are perfect for the fungus to run wild. This will also force you to pull early. And of course if your site has been found or is in great danger of being found, you must pull everything to avoid loosing out on what would otherwise have been a great year. For instance, if you have a site in a corn field or other temporary situation, the harvest must occur at a point in time relatively independent of weather. Also try to find out if and when hunters start to roam the fields.One other thing to watch for is frost. Even a mild frost can damage plants so watching the weather closely in late September and throughout October is important. If your plants do get damaged by frost the erb is still harvestable so don't give up entirely if you fail to chop before the first frost. If by some freak chance there is a frost in early September and the buds are still very small you may want to allow the damage to occur and then let the buds finish maturing rather than harvesting a small quantity of premature buddage. This type of situation is an on the spot call and you must consider many factors, such as bud size, weather predictions for the following weeks, strain of weed, location of site, etc., before deciding. Indica varieties usually mature sooner than sativa varieties, and the best time to harvest varieties acclimated to the Northeast is from late September to mid October. Those varieties not acclimated to the Northeast, such as Columbian or Jamaican, are best left to late October or even mid November if the weather permits. One other thing you want to avoid is harvesting in the rain. Moisture can lead to problems in the drying process such as molds and fungi. The dryer the plants at the harvest date the better.
As mentioned before, it is important to acquire seeds from strains that can be grown at the latitude you are at, some Mexican or Colombian varieties may not develop mature buds until November and by then the weather becomes harsh. Knowing when your plants will mature is difficult for beginners or growers using new seeds for the first season.
Planning and getting to a good drying location quickly is important so the buddage is not left in bags for longer than a few hours. If the freshly harvested bud remains in bags for too long (12 hours or more), molds and fungus will begin to destroy the erb. Once you get to your drying location you need to prepare the erb for drying. This entails removing excess fan leaves and other larger leaves. However, if the drying spot has a temperature higher than 85 degrees it may be beneficial to leave a few large leaves to keep the buds from drying too quickly. Typical places to dry are attics, closets, dresser drawers, and basements. The best position for a bud to dry in is hanging upside down in a location where air can circulate all around it. If you are fortunate to have a location that you can do this in, great, otherwise use a dresser drawer or some other concealed place. If you dry the buds in dresser drawers remember not to double stack the buds or the weight of the upper layer of buds will cause a flat spot on the buds underneath. Also remember to rotate the buds every day so the erb dries uniformly and you can check for any signs of mold or fungus. If space permits and you are able to retrieve the whole plant, roots and all, you can hang them upside down by the roots, but don't expect this drying procedure to yield higher quality bud. THC does not drain from the roots down into the buds, the THC forms in the resin on the buds. The entire drying process should take place over four to six days depending on the size and variety of bud, the temperature, and the relative humidity of the drying area. If the buds are dried too quickly, the flavor of the erb will become more harsh and the THC level may not reach its potential. If the pot is dried too slowly then molds and fungi may develop and have a similar effect. With any method of drying, the process must be monitored on a day-to-day basis. Room temperature is fine for drying as long as the humidity is kept low. If drying must take place in a cool damp place then a fan and possibly a heater should be installed to compensate.


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Yea Glo! Glorilla comes through with another Banger! The Memphis Female Rapper has been a fan favorite since her first National Single FNF. Since then Glo has been tearing the charts with hits with Cardi B, Fivio Foreign, Moneybagg Yo, and more! Now Glo is back with New single "Yea Glo". Check out new video
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Unbelievable Behavior Podcast Episode 4! Welsh and Karta talks Alabama Boat Brawl, DR Saint Julian , Kenosha Police Department & Complex Magazine Top 50 NY list all time ! Make sure yall follow the Podcast!
Follow, Comment , Subscribe !
(Video) Dave East & Cruch Calhoun – ALL I NEED @daveeast @cruchcalhoun
Dave East links up with Cruch Calhoun for joint album title "30for30". The two artist New York & New Jersey goes crazy and drops visual for first track 30 for 30! Check this video out.
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text:
Bombs target northwest Pakistan election offices, killing 3
May 10, AP – At least 130 people have been killed in attacks on candidates and party workers since the beginning of April. The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks, saying the country's democracy runs counter to Islam.
A pair of bombs targeting the offices of candidates running in this weekend's election killed three people on Friday in northwest Pakistan, the latest attacks in what has been a bloody campaign.
The Taliban are suspected in the abduction of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's son on Thursday, although there has been no claim of responsibility. Gilani said he has asked Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency to help find his 25-year-old son, Ali Haider Gilani, who was taken as he was leaving an election event in the central Pakistani city of Multan.
The elder Gilani said the abduction should not interrupt Saturday's election, which will mark the first time a civilian government has completed its full five-year term and transferred power in democratic elections.
"The election process should continue," the former prime minister told reporters. The bombings of the election offices Friday occurred in Miran Shah, the main town in the North Waziristan tribal area and a key sanctuary for the Pakistani Taliban. In addition to the three people who were killed, 15 were wounded in the attacks, said intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
No one has claimed responsibility, and it was unclear exactly which candidates were targeted since several have offices in the block where the explosions occurred. The Taliban have mainly targeted candidates and workers from secular parties, raising concern the violence could benefit hard-line Islamists and others who take a soft line toward the militants because they are able to campaign more freely.
Also on Friday, unknown assailants threw a grenade at the main office of the secular Pakistan People's Party in Quetta, the capital of southwest Baluchistan province, wounding five people, said police spokesman Fayyaz Sumbal. No one claimed responsibility for the attack.
Baluchistan is home to both Islamic militants and separatist insurgents who want to break away from Pakistan. The separatists have been staging attacks against candidates and party workers in an attempt to hamper Saturday's election.
Given the recent attacks, soldiers and police stood guard Friday as election materials were distributed to polling stations throughout the country.
Associated press journalist for human rights observers – Dawar Shah, reports from the region.
Category: International


text:
UIA introduces 12-fold fuel charge reduction on its flights
Ukraine International Airlines decided to reduce fuel charges for ticket purchases originated from Ukraine. Effective 15 December 2008, fuel charges which constitute a portion of the overall ticket price, are lowered for all UIA internal and Kyiv-Tbilisi flights.
Fuel charges for Kyiv-Lvov-Kyiv and Kyiv-Simferopol-Kyiv flights have seen a 12-time reduction – from $24 to $2. The charges for the international Kyiv-Tbilisi-Kyiv flight have dropped by $28.
Furthermore, starting from 15 January 2009, UIA will considerably lower fuel charges for its European destinations. For example, the amount will be reduced by $54 for Kyiv-Helsinki flight and by $35 for Kyiv-Amsterdam flight.
"The worldwide tendency for aviation fuel price reduction which we have observed from October and the long-awaited fall in prices for aviation fuel in Ukraine allowed us to review fuel charges on both international and internal flights," noted Dmitry Shinkarchuk, UIA Director Sales Ukraine. "If this tendency continues, we will continue cutting down fuel surcharges and consider doing away with these charges altogether. Unfortunately, prices for aviation fuel in Ukraine at the moment remain considerably higher than in Europe."


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Kellen Winslow Los Angeles Chargers Nike Game Retired Player Jersey - Powder Blue, NFL Jersey
You're a huge sport fan, and whenever they're on the pitch, you're tuned in. Be sure you're outfitted properly by grabbing this Jersey! It's exciting being a devout Sport fan and you'll be the biggest one around in this jersey, featuring crisp team graphics with innovative technology that will keep you comfortable as you cheer your squad to a victory.
- Material: 100% Polyester.
- Material: 100% Polyester.
- Incredibly light and breathable fabric that will keep you cool and dry.
- Drop tail hem.
- An all-new super comfortable and durable soft fabric.
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- Machine wash
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- The image is only for illustration. The color may difference from the actual products due to the different angle shots and brightness of the environment.
- Please note: The measured length for each size may vary by a few centimeters (2-3cm). Please choose the bigger size if you want to have more comfortable wearing.
- Customized items are final sale and cannot be cancelled, changed, returned or refunded after order has been placed.


text:
I'm using LuaLaTeX to write my thesis and I've been learning about typography thanks to Robert Bringhurst's "The elements of typographic style". Problem is I can't replicate the letterspacing used in titles sectioning, so do you know how I can achieve that? (I tried with microtype package with no success at all).
My cls is inspired heavily by Evind Uggedal's thesis (which at the same time he is inspired by Robert Bringhurst's book) but he is using pdflatex instead of LuaLaTeX.
Here is Eivind Uggedal's cls: https://bitbucket.org/uggedal/thesis/src/5017b3e8bdb8/src/uiothesis.cls
And here is mine: https://bitbucket.org/aldoborrero/alma-pfc/src/b89264c1b2fd/src/UAHMemoir.cls
Here you have an screenshot:
As @rdhs has pointed in the comment below you can use the two options he wrote. In my case I prefer the first one because I don't have to import another package, so if you are going to use it make sure you update your microtype package to the last beta version (visit this site if you need more info http://latex-alive.tumblr.com/post/1303450459).
tlmgr --repository http://tlcontrib.metatex.org/2011 update microtype
Here is the final result:
As @NVaughan said in the comment below, if you're using TexLive 2012 you should type:
tlmgr --repository http://tlcontrib.metatex.org/2012 update microtype


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I've been tagged so many times lately I thought it'd be rude to put it off any longer. If you don't want to plough through all my answers (and I don't blame you if you don't)you can always admire my fabulous new-to-me original 1970s wood platforms I won on eBay last week.
I have to post 11 random things about myself.
- I've been an extra in a zombie film. http://www.ispitonyourrave.com/
- The furthest I've travelled from home is Gili Air, off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia.
- The Stray Cats at Birmingham Odeon in 1979 was the first gig I ever went to when I was 13.
- I've never worn foundation.
- I became a vegetarian when I found out meat came from animals at the tender age of 18 months old. I've never eaten it since.
- I own every record ever released on vinyl by Blondie.
- When I was still at school and living at home I used to wait till my parents were in bed, sneak out of the house and go clubbing at The Nightingale, Birmingham's legendary gay club, until the early hours. I never got found out.
- I've been barred from more than one town centre pub for dancing on the bar.
- The first house I owned was in the red light district of town. I'd often be visited by the local pimps offering to make me rich.
- I was so jealous when my brother was born that I tipped him out of his carry cot, pushed his pram through a plate glass door and cut all the pom-poms off his clothes.
- At the V Festival a few years ago Jon and I went to see different bands and some scumbag roofie-d my beer, luckily I was rescued before anything untoward happened.
Here's Sandy's questions:
- What is your favourite dessert? I hate sweet food so (vegetarian) cheese and biscuits.
- If you could live in any decade which would it be and why? I already lived in my dream period (1966-1973) but was too young to remember much of it.
- What is your favourite Disney film? None, I can't stand that soppy crap.
- Who is your favourite historical person and why? Gandhi, the dude rocked.
- What is your favourite book? Shantarram by Gregory David Roberts.
- If you were given £1000 to spend in any one place, where would you choose? I'd fly to India, staying in heritage homes & Maharajah's palaces until the cash ran out.
- What is your favourite childhood memory? The long hot summer of 1976.
- If you could hold a dinner with only 2 other guests (dead or alive, celebrity or historical) who would they be? Rabindranath Tagore and Jimi Hendrix, the former for his wisdom and the latter for eye candy.
- What would you choose to be your last supper? If I was about to kick the bucket food would be the last thing on my mind.
- Name one beauty product you couldn't live without. Black eye liner.
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? India because it's beautiful, colourful and has the best food and the most wonderful people on the planet.
- What was the name of your first love? I'm not a sentimental sort so it'd have to be Oxfam.
- What was the first car you owned? I can't drive but I went halves with Jon and bought our first VW Camper van for our 40th birthdays in 2006.
- Who is your favourite TV character? Jax Teller from Sons Of Anarchy, a bad ass Hell's Angel with a heart.
- How did you meet your partner? I was playing pool with a couple of guys in our local biker-friendly pub, Jon was standing behind me asking someone about a song called "Soul Train" and couldn't remember who sung it. I yelled "Swansway" and the rest was history.
- What pisses you off the most? Bigotry and self pity.
- If you weren't living where you are now, where would you live and why? India because it's the best place in the world.
- What's your favourite drink? Either rose wine, India Pale Ale or Havana Club Rum with fresh lime and cola.
- Confess something naughty! When I was a penniless student I accepted an invitation to a posh restaurant for dinner from a man I didn't fancy, ate my dinner and escaped through the window in the ladies' toilet.
- If you could be reincarnated, who would you be and why? Helen, the legendary Bollywood vamp.
- What skill would you like to learn? I'd love to be able to drive but I know humanity is safer without me on the roads.
- If this was your last day on the planet, how would you spend it? At a music festival on a baking hot sunny day with good company, great music, unlimited alcohol and unadulterated hedonism.
- Who is your most bizarre celebrity crush? Jarvis Cocker and Noel Fielding both make me go weak at the knees.
- What is/Would be your karaoke song? I murder Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.
- If you could invent your own course and teach it, what would it be? Success at jumble sales & The art of dressing like a trollop.
- Zombie Apocalypse weapon of choice? No idea, I'd leave it to Jon, he's great in a crisis.
- What period in history would you most like to visit? I was around in the late sixties but I'd like to have been old enough to remember it.
- What's the most unusual food you've eaten? Probably that dodgy flapjack I bought from a hippy at Glasto which made me very silly.
- Have you met any celebrities? A few. The most exciting was Michael Lang, the guy who organised Woodstock. Also lots of musicians as the West Midlands is a veritable hot bed of rock stars plus eminent politicians, news readers and royalty from my days in corporate hospitality.
- How long have you been thrifting/op shopping/jumble sale-ing? Since I could walk. I inherited my passion for second-hand stuff from my Mum & Grandma so I've been dragged around such places since the 1960s.
- Which childhood cartoon/tv program scared you the most? Will 'O' The Wisp.
- What are 3 of your favourite books? Shantarram, God Of Small Things, White Tiger.
- What is your favourite film? Woodstock, the movie.
Here are Melanie's
- If you could go shopping in any era, which would it be? The late 1960s.
- Official other half aside, who would your dream date be? Mick Jagger circa 1969
- Who were/was the last band/artiste you saw live? Mogwai
- Do you have any phobias? Spiders.
- What is your favourite film? See previous answer.
- What is your favourite song? It changes all the time. Anything sung with passion and attitude.
- How tall are you (I have a near obsessive need to know how tall people are). Nowhere near tall enough.
- What is your earliest memory. Lying in my cot watching the wind blowing the curtains.
- Tea, or coffee? Both.
- Favourite literary character. Lin in Shantarram.
- Favourite actor/actress. Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore.
Still awake? Don't worry I won't tag anyone else but feel free to answer as many questions you fancy.
Thanks for the wonderful gardening advice, I knew you'd be able to help.
See you soon.


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Tyler Perry's "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" was adapted from the popular stage play by Tyler Perry, who also plays several roles in the film, most prominently Madea; it marked the first feature-film credit for successful music video director Darren R. Grant. Charles, an attorney, and Helen, the devoted wife, seem to have everything: money, a beautiful mansion - the American Dream. But just as Helen prepares to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary, her life takes a surprising turn. Starring Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, Tyler Perry, Cicely Tyson, Shemar Moore Technical Information
Director: Darren Grant Writers: Tyler Perry Producers: Tyler Perry, John Dellaverson, Joseph P. Genier, Michael Paseornek, Mike Upton Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 5.1) Subtitles: English, Spanish Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.) Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number of discs: 1 Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Studio: Lions Gate DVD Release Date: June 28, 2005 Run Time: 116 minutes
Special Features Featurettes: Who is Tyler Perry? You Can Do It...It's Electric Commentary with Tyler Perry The Tyler Perry Collection trailer Trailer gallery Deleted scenes


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Just one year ago, New York City–based Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Co.—a brand known for making healthy alternatives to soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt—was struggling to find a niche for its frozen treat. Michael Sloan, cofounder and CEO of Chloe's, says there were a number of factors working against the brand.
"We were not very good at opening up and managing stores; we didn't have the cheapest cost per capital; we weren't the best at managing our store employees or at distributing our own product; and we were not the best manufacturer of the product, because we didn't have all the equipment," he says.
But once Chloe's decided to alter the focus of its business plan to capitalize on existing infrastructure, everything changed, Sloan says.
"We switched our focus to the wholesale model to answer the demand," he says. "[Chefs, foodservice directors, and foodservice companies] were looking for something that was healthier and still tasted great to put in their machine because the frozen yogurt volume in foodservice has been slowing down. They're looking for ways to increase the volume back up. Chloe's is the answer to that."
Since March of this year, Chloe's has partnered with 11 various East Coast distributors. Sloan says the distributors have been instrumental in connecting Chloe's with companies that now carry the product.
"Our volume has greatly increased," he says. "We used to make our pops by hand in our commissary, where we got up to 6,000 pops a week. Then in July, we went to a new co-packer and we were able to do 1.2 million pops in one week."
Sloan says the success the brand has experienced over the past year is largely due to the variation and texture of the product. Chloe's has 16 varieties that rotate seasonally, with eight available for distribution at all times. "It's all about the taste," he says. "Any chef that tries it says it's like nothing they've tasted before, and they can't believe it's only made of three ingredients."
Sloan says many consumers seek out Chloe's product because it is a healthier alternative to frozen yogurt. The soft-serve fruit is dairy free, fat free, gluten free, vegan, kosher, and free of all eight major allergens.
Chloe's fruit is available in two forms, both as a frozen popsicle and as soft serve. Sloan says providing two variations on the product have boosted sales tremendously.
"We just launched in the Boston area, and we heard from a family where the kid has a pop at school, the mom has soft serve at work, and then they go to a frozen-yogurt store in the afternoon to get our soft serve after school as a snack," Sloan says. "That's what we're looking for."
Sloan says the growth over the past year is only the first chapter of Chloe's success story, adding that the brand is looking to expand into schools, hospitals, entertainment venues, and more.
"It's been really finding our niche and finding where people are looking for something like this," he says. "The product speaks for itself."
By Marlee Murphy


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Contract transparency and monitoring
Contracts between governments and companies for the exploitation of publicly held natural resources are key documents that detail how and at what cost extraction occurs. Unlike other parts of the legal framework, they have traditionally been kept secret.
Under what now amounts to a new global norm, over 40 governments have published contracts, licenses and permits. This practice is endorsed by over 18 companies and supported by a range of international organizations, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Bar Association, the B Team, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Council on Mining and Metals.
Publication of contracts brings benefits to all stakeholders. When citizens are able to view contracts, they can monitor extractive industry projects and see whether the rules are being followed. This reduces the risk that negligence or corruption will have adverse environmental and social impacts. For companies, publishing contracts can be an important step toward a "social license to operate" and can help build stronger community relationships that make projects more stable. For governments, contract transparency increases public trust, provides valuable information that strengthens the government's capacity to enforce the rules, and ensures that all officials have access to the agreed terms relevant to their responsibilities.


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Translations | The Good Book Company
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhich of your publications do you translate?Key product ranges from The Good Book Company that are already translated into one or more languages are Christianity Explored and the Pray Prepare Preach series (Preaching Mark etc). Translations of some other editions are also in progress and we are always ready to consider new enquiries. However, the deciding factor for any translation is whether there is a local publisher who wants to produce and sell it as The Good Book Company's policy is to publish English language editions and look for local partners to publish any translations. We also retail some translated editions from other publishers, such as The Choice we all face from Matthias Media. What languages are your publications available in?Our editions are available in international languages such as Chinese, French, Hindi and Spanish as well as a diverse range of other national languages. The availability of translations for any individual edition depends on local needs and interests in the country or countries concerned. |
Where can I buy translations of your publications?You can buy most translated editions of The Good Book Company publications direct from us via our outlets in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. However, if you live in the country where the translation was published, you may find it easier to buy direct from the publisher. For translations that we retail from other publishers – such as The Choice we all face from Matthias Media – you can still buy direct from us but should be aware that any order you place will be delivered from the UK only. Depending on where you live, this may make a significant difference to the delivery time and cost. Can I translate any of the publications shown on the website?First of all, check to see whether the edition you want to translate is published by The Good Book Company. If it is published by another company such as Matthias Media or IVP you will need to contact them to ask permission to translate it. If it is published by The Good Book Company we hold the copyright of the text either solely or in conjunction with the author(s) and you need to ask our permission to translate it. |
Requests from publishersTo request translation rights for one or more of our editions please contact us with further details concerning:
Requests from individualsWhere translation rights for specific editions have not yet been sold we may grant permission to individuals to make a translation for their personal, non-commercial use. Such permission is given on a case by case basis and is subject to certain terms and conditions. For further details, please contact us with more information about the edition you would like to translate, the target language and context in which you propose to use the translation. All permissions enquiries should be addressed to: firstname.lastname@example.com |


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The "Fiscal Cliff" and the Coming Retirement Crisis of the Middle Class
On January 1, Congress approved a tax and spending bill to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff" combination of tax hikes and spending cuts that would have created deflationary pressure on the United States (though Yglesias questioned the conventional wisdom of whether it would necessarily cause a recession). Let's take a look at the deal in some detail, then proceed to the gruesome details of what will happen around the Ides of March.
From Think Progress, here are some of the more critical parts of the deal.
1) The Bush tax cuts expire on only about 0.7% of households, those earning more than $400,000 per year as an individual or $450,000 for a couple. This brings in $600 billion over 10 years. Since rich people don't spend as much of their income as the poor and middle class do, this is less deflationary than a tax increase on the middle class, as I discussed in November.
2) With the expiration of the temporary 2% payroll tax cut, 77% of households will see their taxes go up. Indeed, every single income group will, on average, see their taxes increase, as shown below (via Matt Yglesias):
Since this hits the middle class more directly, the deflationary consequences are larger than they would be for an increase in taxes on the rich. On the other hand, this strengthens the long-run funding of Social Security, an issue I will return to shortly.
3) Unemployment insurance is extended for two million workers. This will get spent and have a definitive stimulative effect on the economy.
However, the second shoe of the fiscal cliff, the automatic cutbacks known as the "sequester" was simply postponed for two months, which is the same time that the Treasury Department will run out of creative ways to keep the country from exceeding the debt ceiling, which it hit on December 31.
Combining these two negotiations, the debt ceiling and the sequester, will be an extremely high-stakes battle where the middle class has a lot to lose. The big problem here is that some Tea Party Republicans really do want to use the debt ceiling to take the economy hostage and force cutbacks in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Despite the fact that Republicans lost the Presidency as well as both Senate and House seats (with a majority of the votes cast for the House going to Democrats), they see their gerrymandered House majority as giving them license to wreak havoc.
The consensus among most commentators (Krugman, Klein, and Yglesias, for example) is that the fiscal cliff deal will work out okay as long as the President does not cave in to the Republicans' threats over the debt ceiling. I agree as far as that goes. But, as Yglesias points out, there is nothing great about what Klein says is the most likely scenario, where the President gets $1 trillion in new tax revenue for $1 trillion in cuts over 10 years. That is still $2 trillion in austerity measures at a time when unemployment is barely below 8%!
The looming problem rarely mentioned, even in the context of the Republican campaign against Social Security, is that my children's generation (Generation X, if you will) faces a retirement crisis that many of my generation will avoid, based on the end of pension plans. According to one Social Security Administration report, the percentage of private-sector workers with a traditional defined-benefit pension plan fell from 38% in 1980 to 20% in 2008. Over the same period, private-sector workers who only received defined contribution plans rose from 8% to 31%. Note that this means that 49% of private-sector workers are not covered by any pension plan at all. Moreover, while governments have more commonly provided defined-benefit plans than private employers have, they are under attack in many states.
Let's do the math. With 49% of private workers having no pension, and another 31% having an on-average less generous defined contribution pension, how will seniors support themselves if Social Security is cut? Hint: It won't be pretty.
Get ready for a bumpy March.
Cross-posted from Middle Class Political Economist.


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Home Car Washing - Water Saver or Water Waste?
The sun is closer, and the days are longer. That means spring is coming, along with warmer weather, and car washing season. Home car washing season that is. It's usually about this time of year that vehicle owners start to get excited about washing their cars in their driveway. It's a classic vision for all home/car owners. The hours spent in the gorgeous summer sun perfecting the ultimate car wash, a frosty beverage and perhaps some great music or a baseball game on the radio.
Before we get too wrapped up in this dreamscape, let's go through a few reality checks. Why do people wash their cars in their driveway, besides comfort and pleasure? Some believe it saves water, is more beneficial for the environment, and does a better job.
While there's no doubt that spending an unlimited amount of time hand washing your vehicle is guaranteed to produce the results you want, all of those myths about being safer for the environment need a little straightening out.
Time to Bust Myths
Washing your car in the driveway saves water!
Quite the opposite, engineering studies have shown that washing your car in the driveway can use up to ten times more water than a professional car wash. Take Valet Car Wash... their automatic car wash uses a small amount of water and squeezes it into high pressure. Computers precisely turn that equipment off and on when required. If it's the personal touch you like while washing your car then use of one Valet's self serve bays. Self serve bays use even less water than automatics and offer a variety of options and functions. Unfortunately car washes are often labelled as water hogs because of their high visibility, however professional car washes in fact use very little amounts of water to keep your vehicle looking like new.
Time for myth #2
Does washing your car in your driveway benefit the environment?
Not at all! It also happens to be illegal in many cities in Canada. When you rinse off your car, all of the water and chemical residues get washed into storm drains, which gets deposited directly into our lakes and rivers. If your driveway happens to be next to your lawn, the water can also leek underground and pollute water tables and harm beneficial soil organisms. At Valet Car Wash, all waste water is sent directly to sewage treatment facilities, so that all chemical residues are removed and the water is purified before returning to the environment.
Lastly, myth #3
Does washing your car at home do a better job?
Some people may swear by it, but when was the last time you tried a professional car wash? At Valet, our automated exteriors start at just $10.99+HST, take only three minutes, and are a fantastic way to get your vehicle sparkling clean without harming the environment. If you really enjoy taking on the task yourself, then look no further than our self-serve bays. They save water, don't pollute the environment, and still provide you with the opportunity to give your vehicle cleaning that personal touch.
Do yourself and the environment a favour. Visit Valet Car Wash today. Located in Guelph, Cambridge, Mississauga, St. Catharines and Kitchener. For more information in regards to environmental effects go to watersavers or reasons to wash your car


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The Truth About Bed Bugs & Health
Ten Things to Know About Bed Bugs and Your Health
The words "bed bugs" tend to evoke many unpleasant feelings and the idea of being in the proximity of these pests can often send people running. However, as bed bug infestations have become more commonplace in the past few years, it is important to know why bed bugs are drawn to us and what implications these blood-sucking pests have on human health. Here ten important bed bug facts to know:
Fact # 1: Bed bugs are attracted by warmth and carbon dioxide. So, if you are alive, warm and breathing – you are a bed bug magnet. Although bed bugs are not nocturnal, they are most active at night because that is when their human targets are sleeping and emitting a steady stream of carbon dioxide allowing for prime feeding time.
Fact #2: Just because you don't see them, it does not mean they are not there. In fact, you have to look closely because they can be hard to see. Bed bugs love to hide in the cracks and crevices associated with mattresses, cushions, bed frames and other structures. They are rarely seen out in the open or on the resting surface of beds or chairs— with the exception of large-scale infestations. They are champions of hide-and-seek. It is not uncommon to miss bed bugs altogether, so also look for telltale signs of an infestation such as specks of blood or feces found on linens, mattresses or on walls.
Fact #3: Bed bugs have flat oval bodies, are reddish-brown in color and are sometimes described as having the size and appearance of an apple seed. Adult bed bugs range in size from 5-7 mm (<1/4 inch), while nymphs (juveniles) may be a small is 1.5 mm (1/16 of an inch). As they feed they enlarge, or engorge, with blood. The adults turn from more brown to more red in color, while the translucent nymphs may become bright red.
Fact # 4: Bed bugs typically feed at night by biting exposed areas of skin such as the face, neck, hands, legs and arms. The bite itself is painless and usually goes undetected at the time because bed bugs inject an anticoagulant (a blood thinner) along with an anesthetic to create a numbing effect as they feed. Because feeding usually takes 5-10 minutes, this anesthetic-like compound allows the bed bugs to easily feed uninterrupted.
Fact #5: Bed bug bites can look a lot like other insect bites. Clues that can suggest the presence of bed bugs include finding red, itchy bites upon awakening – especially if the bites line up in a row on the skin (known as breakfast, lunch and dinner). However, while some people develop a bite reaction immediately, others may not see a reaction for 2-3 days — and some may not see a reaction at all. A bed bug bite can appear as a tiny puncture wound without a surrounding reaction, and can easily be missed (30 percent of individuals living in bed bug infested dwellings report a lack of bites or skin reactions). This appears to be more common amongst the elderly, as noted in the studyThe Sensitivity Spectrum: Human Reactions to Bed Bug Bites. On the other hand, other people have exuberant reactions, with large red, raised and itchy welts. This is especially true if one becomes sensitized to bed bugs bites, so that with repeated bites there may be a more exaggerated skin reaction.
Fact #6: In situations with persistent exposures to the pest, bed bug bites may appear in groups. Given bedbug bites usually take 3 to 6 weeks to heal, as long as the infestation is still present, new bites may accumulate even as the older ones disappear. Thus, people may have various bite reactions in various stages of evolution at the same time.
Fact #7: Bed bug bites do not typically require treatment. Itching is by far the most common complaint by those who experience bed bug bites. If the itching becomes severe, people will find relief with topical steroid creams or oral antihistamines. Clean the bite site(s) with soap and water and avoid scratching so as to prevent infection. If a secondary infection occurs, consult your physician so it can be managed with antibiotics as appropriate. Progressive swelling, warmth, tenderness and (albeit rare) fever may be signs of secondary infection.
Fact #8: Unlike mosquitoes and ticks, bed bugs are not known to transmit disease to humans. While some pathogens have been detected in and on bedbugs – including hepatitis B, and exotic organisms such asTrypanosoma cruzi (cause of Chagas Disease, most commonly found in Central and South America) orWolbachia species – bed bugs have not been associated with disease transmission.
Fact #9: Bed bugs do not transmit MRSA. There have been reports of persons developing methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections (such as a boil or abscess) associated with bed bug bites, but it turns out the infections were secondary. MRSA infections associated with bed bug bites are actually an example of scratching leading to minor skin trauma and subsequent secondary bacterial infection. In these cases, people who are carriers of MRSA scratch at the bites and provide a port of entry for the MRSA (which was already present on their skin) to get in and under the skin and cause the secondary infection. The bed bug can be blamed for the itch, but not for the infection.
Fact #10: Some people experience anxiety, sleeplessness, and unease as a result of having bed bugs. Bed bug infestations are understandably significant psychosocial stressors, and some people may experience sleeplessness as they worry about bugs biting them or their family members. People have been known to self-isolate, avoiding family and friends out of concern for spreading the infestation. Additionally, some people may also be stigmatized by friends or others in the community, or find they have problems at work if their bed bug problem becomes widely known. As a result, victims of bed bug infestations may experience moderate to severe levels of stress, anxiety and depression and should seek treatment as necessary.
Finally, when it comes to controlling bedbugs this is definitely NOT a case of "do it yourself" as bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that victims of bed bug infestations contact their landlord or an experienced pest management professional.
What is a Termite Inspection and Do You Need One?
The answer: YES! This pest can cause significant and costly damage to your home. Read on to find out how.
Bed Bug Pest Guide
Traveling for the holidays this year? Be sure to keep an eye out for bed bugs! Use our Pest Guide to help identify this pest.
NPMA's TickTalk
Check out NPMA's TickTalk.org for information about this pest, including the various species and health threats they pose.
Find a PEST PRO in your area
What is a Termite Inspection and Do You Need One?
The answer: YES! This pest can cause significant and costly damage to your home. Read on to find out how.
Bed Bug Pest Guide
Traveling for the holidays this year? Be sure to keep an eye out for bed bugs! Use our Pest Guide to help identify this pest.
NPMA's TickTalk
Check out NPMA's TickTalk.org for information about this pest, including the various species and health threats they pose.


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Check out the schedule for all upcoming House of Funk concerts in Charlotte, NC.
These mesmerizing theater events will leave you breathless and provide great memories for years to come. Don't miss
House of Funk concerts in Charlotte. Get 100% guaranteed tickets for all upcoming concerts at the lowest possible price.


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Marchen Maze
Explore a variety of game-related ringtones .
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"For his innovative experimental studies of electron collisions with atoms and molecules which have significantly advanced our understanding of collisional and radiative processes in ionized gases at the microscopic level."
Background:McConkey received his B.S. degree in 1958 and his PhD in 1963) degrees from Queen's University, Belfast. Following a year in Paris, he returned to a faculty position at Queen's. In 1970 he was appointed full professor of physics at the University of Windsor where he later became a university professor. His research interests have covered a wide range of topics, particularly involving the collisions of electrons, ions, photons, atoms, molecules and clusters. He has been a major player in the establishment of our current data bank of absolute electron-impact cross-sections. These have provided vital underpinning to a number of fields and technologies such as atmospheric and planetary physics, astrophysics and both low and high temperature plasma physics. Data from his laboratory on impact excitation, ionization, molecular and cluster dissociation and elastic and inelastic electron scattering are widely regarded as standards in the field.
He has been the recipient of numerous prestigious fellowships and awards which have enabled him to work for extended periods with colleagues at the California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and at the Universities of Manchester. Belfast and Edinburgh. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Fellow of both the British Institute of Physics and the American Physical Society. He was a Canada Council Killam Fellow from 1986 to 1988. In 1999 he was the recipient of the Gold Medal of the Canadian Association of Physicists for lifetime achievement in Physics.